Danielle Hayden

Hundreds of people were queueing down the road into Chorley’s oldest ice cream parlour at a special anniversary event this weekend.

Frederick’s Ice Cream, on Bolton Road, celebrated its 80th year in the town by selling 80 different ice cream flavours whilst staying open for 80 continuous hours from Friday to Monday.

Midnight customers at Fredericks Ice Cream parlour, in Chorley, which celebrated the 80th birthday of the family-run business by seleling 80 ice cream flavouers without closing for 80 hours.

The award-winning ice cream manufacturer and retailer, which has parlours across Lancashire, hosted a number of activities over the four-day opening.

Donna Town, partner at Frederick’s said: “The event has been amazing – it has been great to get everybody together.

“We were surprised by the fantastic turnout we had through the nights as well.

“It was busy with queues down the road overnight on both Friday and Saturday night.

“I think people were enjoying the novelty of having the ice cream as a midnight snack.

“Staying open constantly for 80 hours has been exhausting for some members of staff - especially three of the three of the girls who have worked overnight on all three evenings.”

The event attracted people of all ages and anybody who was 80 or older, received an ice cream. Donna added: “We also held numerous competitions including a 10-scoop ice cream challenge and lots of children’s activities with prizes of ice cream hampers.

“There were overnight activities with midnight movie marathons, night time deals and theme nights – such as Asian, European and American culture themes.”

The family-run business says it is extremely proud of its long history in making traditional Italian ice cream, winning both national and local awards. It has won a number of Diplomas of Merit from the National Ice cream Alliance and was named the Yell.com family business of the year in 2012.

“We have been here for a long time,” said Donna. “And we are now in the third generation and we are still enjoying every minute of it.

“It’s great getting positive feedback that people are still enjoying what we are doing.

“This weekend has been a celebration of the family as well as the business.”

The long weekend of events finished with a free children’s birthday party.

Names were also drawn out of the hat for the prizes and competitions which were run.

Frederick’s is also appealing for anyone with old pictures or memories of the ice cream parlour to send in their photos or call in to the Bolton Road shop and speak to the staff.

For more information, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fredericksicecream.